West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1887-08-18
In THE SURF.
ny LILY CURRY rYxER.

The first two weeks of September arc
certainly the finest of all the summer for
ocean bathing. The water has at lenpth
become bearably warm, and the waves.
though running high, run regularly and
with certain evenness that fair swim
mer can comprehend and count upon.
AT the resorts along the Jersey coast.
Tor instance, this IA season Of absolute
water reyelry. The beach is peopled
with thousands of figures, happy and
picturesque, or grotesque, as the case
may be. Child, youth, adult, all arc
here. The strong swimmer calmly cleav-
ing ms way out through the breakers
the tlmid novice shrinking at each new
burst of salty suds, and the would be
brave one prancing deiiantly knee deem
IN the mighty brine, yet clinginQ des-
perately at the same time to the life,
line
1t was not long since, at one of these
resorts, heavenly morning, the sky a
dazzle of sun and pale azure; the sea
booming grandly on the white sand. and
all the merry thousands fastening down
to meet it.
Two men and "a woman left the fourth
OF their party, an elderly lady who was
not IN bathing costume, as were they,
safely ensconced with chair and book
where the sand was quite dry, and
trlpped lightly down to the first thin
edge of the water. To be strictly accu-
rate, but two of them tripped lightly
the woman, who was young and in her
own way beautiful, aud the smaller and
less thoughtful of the two men. The third
OF the party followed with a gravity of
countenancc that was quite absurd in
conjunction with his costume. Having
entered the water they naturally sepa.
rated. The younger man was slender.
graceful, willowy, a golden bearded
blonde. He seemed TO carry the JOYOUS
recollection of some personal triumph.
Come, he cried, reaching out gayly to
the girl. But she drew back, for she
could not swim.
"Nof" be said carelessly, and plunged
of, leaving her near the other man. This
other was also fair Of complexion. but
his close-shaven hair had the look of
brown velvet, and his large violet ewes
were fringed with lashes almost black
He had stopped to put some water on his
head, and looking up he saw that the
young lady stood alone, her gaze resting
quietly upon him
shall take you out little fartherg'
he asked
"You look too sober You might
want to drown me. "
He took no notice Of the petulance.
"You think / shouldn't look sober.
thcnW
Pm sure think nothing whatever.
Mr.. Baxter. You have relieved me Of
the necessity"
lie took a step toward her. His face
paled. There, in the edge Of the ocean.
was an absurd place to show feeling. But
he seemed TO forget Their surroundings
and 20 sec only her dark, uncommon
beauty and flashing eyes.
Anita, he said 81 have done moth
ing TO merit ridicule. / have been
sincere
ooh, yes but too much sincerity bores
one at times"
lie started his lips moved. then he
seemed to remember some resolution and
no sound issued from his tightly set
jaws
But Anita continued to speak in the
same studiously insolcnt tone. "Why
arc we standing herct At least YOU
might take me over 90 the line. I GER
taiuiy shall have lessons when we 20 back
70 town. IL is absurd for one 10 feel so
dependent And these good swimmers
are always so selfish
He put out his hand.
Come this way. he said
They made as pretty picture as any Of
the couples who had gone down or were
going down together
Some lookers-On upon the beach sim
gled them out and discussed them.
''The young lady i'm white and scarlet.
with Spanish facel Miss HaskinVs.
Anita Hastings Hush The mother is
there in the chair Quite rich. The
young man, Ned Baxter. sort Of four
tcenth cousin used TO be engaged TO her
but 10 is of now She is 20 marry some
one else"
Meanwhile the couple had gone out
waist deep Miss Hastings had grown
more gracious.
"Go and swim, Ned, " she commanded.
with a laugh eve won't quarrel any
more"
"Quarrell" he repeated. ''You think
j would quarrel with youl If. as YOU
have told me, IL has been q mistake
our caring for each other, and you really
love Gritiiths, do you think T wouldn't